[Courtroom scene]

ANDREW DADDO (PRESENTER): Hello, I’m Andrew Daddo. I’m here to help you understand how the Senior Master’s Office helps you manage your money if a payment for you has been made to the Senior Master.

You may have received money as a compensation payment from an accident or injury and if this has happened, you might need to modify – you know, change – your home to make it more comfortable and easier to live in. This film looks at the process of changing your home following an injury or accident, and some of the things you also need to consider before you do. It also shows you some of the changes that are available.

The Senior Master’s Office is here to help you. The staff have experience in assisting people with disabilities, particularly Acquired Brain Injury, and can help you work out what you need now, but they can also help you work out what you’ll need in the future.

[The Senior Master sits at a desk in Chambers]

SENIOR MASTER: Hello, I’m the Senior Master of the Supreme Court. With the Funds in Court Office, I’m here to help people by managing their money after it has been paid into Court.

If you have been involved in a serious accident, there’s a chance you will need to change your home to suit your needs.

Our staff can help you work out what you need, and will arrange for Builders and an Architect or Building Consultant to take care of the changes.

[Return to Andrew Daddo, talking to camera]

ANDREW DADDO (PRESENTER): There are a number of things to think about if you have had an accident and are returning home. These may range from hand rails and ramps, it could be accessible baths, safety appliances, hoists or lifts.

The first thing to do is to talk to your Trust Officer or Client Liaison Officer. They can request that an Occupational Therapist come to your home and make an assessment of what you need changed.

[A female Occupational Therapist called Sandra stands in a park, talking to camera]

SANDRA (OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST): Hello, my name’s Sandra and I’m an Occupational Therapist. I have helped lots of families change their homes to suit people with a disability.

I look for things like: whether ramps need to be built; if wheelchairs can fit under sinks and benches; or if the bathroom needs to be changed.

I also talk to your Trust Officer or Client Liaison Officer about your longer term needs, and how your home can be changed for the future.

[A male Architect called Mike on a building site, talking to camera]

MIKE (ARCHITECT): Hi, I’m Mike and I am an Architect. I have worked with many people who have changed their houses for someone with a disability.

We can assess your property before you purchase it to make sure it can be changed in the way that you need. If you would like to change an existing home, we start by working out with you, and your family, your needs and what’s required to modify the house to make it work for you.

We think about things like whether you can easily get in and out of the house, whether the floors are non-slip and if you can reach things in the kitchen and bathroom. We also need to think about the layout and size of the house to make sure you have enough private space, but there’s still enough space for the whole family.

Depending on your injuries, you might need a hoist or ramps included, or a space to store your equipment. People with overnight carers will need space for their carer to stay.

Then we look at how this can be incorporated into the current house site and develop a design. Once a design has been approved, your Architect will manage the project and construction until it is finished. They will take care of permits, contracts and town planning concerns.

Overall, we consider your needs and your budget to come up with a great solution for you and your family or your carers.

Title: Paying for Modifications

[A female Client Liaison Officer, called Donna, stands in a home loungeroom, talking to camera]

DONNA (CLIENT LIAISON OFFICER): If you have been injured in a transport accident since 1987, then it is TAC’s responsibility to change your home to meet your accident-related needs and to co-ordinate and finance any changes that are required. This is the same for WorkSafe cases.

You should contact your TAC or WorkSafe Case Manager, and they will work with the Senior Master’s Office to complete the work.

If you don’t have TAC cover, you may have to pay for the changes from your money held by the Senior Master. If this happens, the Court will appoint someone to oversee the changes. This is usually a Project Manager or Occupational Therapist. The Senior Master’s Office will require supervision of all contracts and work carried out on your house.

[Return to Architect on the building site]

MIKE (ARCHITECT): When we are designing the changes to your house, we always try to meet your budget. We work together to make sure that you are comfortable.

[Return to Andrew Daddo, talking to camera]

ANDREW DADDO (PRESENTER): There is a lot of information to take in, and everyone will need something different.

You can talk to your Trust Officer or to a Client Liaison Officer when they visit, if you’re not sure about something, or you can watch this film again.

For now, why don’t we go over some of the main points:

  • Home changes can include:
    • Hand rails and ramps
    • Accessible baths and basins
    • Safety appliances
    • Hoists or lifts
    • Room for carers
  • You might need help from an Occupational Therapist to identify exactly what you need.
  • The Senior Master’s Office can arrange the contracts.
  • Your needs might change and the Senior Master’s Office can help you adjust.